System for a vehicle with a trailer coupled thereto

ABSTRACT

A system for a vehicle having a trailer coupled thereto includes a rear gate assembly of the vehicle having a first closure panel operable between an open position and a closed position. The system also includes at least one sensor coupled to the first closure panel. The system further includes a controller that prompts execution of a security measure in response to the at least one sensor detecting a person within a predetermined proximity of at least a portion of the trailer.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention generally relates to a system for a vehicle. Thepresent invention more particularly relates to a system for a vehiclehaving a trailer coupled thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Vehicles typically include closure panels that provide access to thevehicle. A system that controls operation of vehicle closure panelsbased on a variety of conditions may be desired.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a system for avehicle having a trailer coupled thereto includes a rear gate assemblyof the vehicle having a first closure panel operable between an openposition and a closed position. The system also includes at least onesensor coupled to the first closure panel. The system further includes acontroller that prompts execution of a security measure in response tothe at least one sensor detecting a person within a predeterminedproximity of at least a portion of the trailer.

Embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure can includeany one or a combination of the following features:

-   -   execution of the security measure includes activation of an        imager coupled to the vehicle;    -   execution of the security measure includes transmission of an        alert to a portable electronic device;    -   execution of the security measure includes emission of an        audible alert by the vehicle;    -   the rear gate assembly further includes a second closure panel        operable between an open position and a closed position, wherein        the first closure panel is operable to pivot about a first pivot        axis a first direction from the closed position to the open        position and the second closure panel is operable to pivot about        a second pivot axis a second direction from the closed position        to the open position, wherein the second direction is opposite        the first direction;    -   the first closure panel is positioned vehicle-upward of the        second closure panel and is coupled to the second closure panel        when the first and second closure panels are in the closed        positions;    -   the at least one sensor includes at least one radar sensor that        emits a radar beam;    -   the controller prompts adjustment of a width of the radar beam        based on a determination that the trailer is coupled to the        vehicle; and    -   the controller prompts adjustment of the width of the radar beam        based on the determination that the trailer is coupled to the        vehicle, such that the width of the radar beam decreases.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a system for avehicle having a trailer coupled thereto includes a rear gate assemblyof the vehicle having a first closure panel operable between an openposition and a closed position, an imager coupled to the vehicle, atleast one radar sensor coupled to the first closure panel, and acontroller that activates the imager in response to the at least oneradar sensor detecting a person within a predetermined proximity of atleast a portion of the trailer.

Embodiments of the second aspect of the present disclosure can includeany one or a combination of the following features:

-   -   the rear gate assembly further includes a second closure panel        operable between an open position and a closed position, wherein        the first closure panel is operable to pivot about a first pivot        axis a first direction from the closed position to the open        position and the second closure panel is operable to pivot about        a second pivot axis a second direction from the closed position        to the open position, wherein the second direction is opposite        the first direction;    -   the first closure panel is positioned vehicle-upward of the        second closure panel and is coupled to the second closure panel        when the first and second closure panels are in the closed        positions;    -   the controller prompts adjustment of a width of a radar beam        emitted by the at least one radar sensor based on a        determination that the trailer is coupled to the vehicle; and    -   the controller prompts adjustment of the width of the radar beam        based on the determination that the trailer is coupled to the        vehicle, such that the width of the radar beam decreases.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a system for avehicle includes a trailer coupled to the vehicle, at least one radarsensor coupled to the vehicle that emits a radar beam, and a controllerthat prompts adjustment of a width of the radar beam emitted by the atleast one radar sensor from a first radar beam width to a second radarbeam width based on a determination that the trailer is connected to thevehicle.

Embodiments of the third aspect of the present disclosure can includeany one or a combination of the following features:

-   -   the first radar beam width is greater than the second radar beam        width;    -   an imager is coupled to the vehicle, wherein the controller        prompts activation of the imager in response to the at least one        radar sensor detecting a person within a predetermined proximity        of at least a portion of the trailer;    -   the controller prompts transmission of an alert to a portable        electronic device in response to the at least one radar sensor        detecting a person within a predetermined proximity of at least        a portion of the trailer;    -   the controller prompts the vehicle to emit an audible alert in        response to the at least one radar sensor detecting a person        within a predetermined proximity of at least a portion of the        trailer; and    -   the vehicle includes a rear gate assembly that includes top gate        panel operable to pivot about a first pivot axis between open        and closed positions, wherein the top gate panel pivots a first        direction about the first pivot axis from the closed position to        the open position, and a bottom gate panel operable to pivot        about a second pivot axis between open and closed positions,        wherein the bottom gate panel pivots a second direction that is        opposite the first direction about the second pivot axis from        the closed position to the open position, wherein the at least        one radar sensor is coupled to the top gate panel.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present disclosurewill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a vehicle, illustrating a top gatepanel and a bottom gate panel of a rear gate assembly of the vehicle inopen positions, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system of the vehicle, according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the vehicle, illustrating a supportfeature coupled to the bottom gate panel and in a deployed position,according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the vehicle, illustrating a plurality ofsensors of a sensing system of the vehicle, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a portion of the vehicle, illustratingat least one radar sensor coupled to the top gate panel and anobstruction in a pivot path of the bottom gate panel of the rear gateassembly, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the vehicle, illustrating the at leastone radar sensor coupled to the top gate panel in the closed positionand the bottom gate panel of the rear gate assembly in the closedposition, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a user carrying an object with one handand having another hand free, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the user, illustrating the user carryingan object with both hands, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a method for providing access tothe vehicle, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of a portion of the vehicle, illustratingat least one sensor coupled to the closed top gate panel, the supportfeature coupled to the open bottom gate panel in a retracted position,and a living being in an exterior environment of the vehicle, accordingto one embodiment;

FIG. 11 is an elevational view of a portion of the vehicle, illustratingat least one sensor coupled to the closed top gate panel, the supportfeature coupled to the open bottom gate panel in the deployed position,and the living being on the support feature, according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 12A is a rear perspective view of the vehicle, illustrating theliving being within the cabin of the vehicle proximate to the openbottom gate panel and the support feature in the deployed position,according to one embodiment;

FIG. 12B is a rear perspective view of the vehicle, illustrating theliving creature in the exterior environment of the vehicle and thesupport feature coupled to the open bottom gate panel of the rear gateassembly, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a method for providing access tothe vehicle, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 14 is an elevational view of a portion of the vehicle, illustratingat least one radar sensor coupled to the top gate panel in a first openposition and precipitation entering a cabin of the vehicle, according toone embodiment;

FIG. 15 is an elevational view of a portion of the vehicle, illustratingat least one radar sensor coupled to the top gate panel in a second openposition and precipitation contacting the top gate panel, according toone embodiment;

FIG. 16 is an elevational view of a portion of the vehicle and a trailerattached to the vehicle, illustrating at least one sensor coupled to therear gate assembly of the vehicle, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 17 is an elevational view of a portion of the vehicle and thetrailer attached to the vehicle, illustrating the top gate panel of therear gate assembly in the open position, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 18 is an elevational view of a human-machine interface of thevehicle, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 19 is an elevational view of the human-machine interface,illustrating an input option displayed on the human-machine interface,according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a method of operating a systemfor the vehicle, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Additional features and advantages of the present disclosure will be setforth in the detailed description that follows and will be apparent tothose skilled in the art from the description, or recognized bypracticing the invention as described in the following description,together with the claims and appended drawings.

As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or moreitems, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself,or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed.For example, if a composition is described as containing components A,B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; Aand B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; orA, B, and C in combination.

In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top andbottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity oraction from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring orimplying any actual such relationship or order between such entities oractions.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms: couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary or movable in nature. Suchjoining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and/or any additional intermediate members. Such joining mayinclude members being integrally formed as a single unitary body withone another (i.e., integrally coupled) or may refer to joining of twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature, or may be removableor releasable in nature, unless otherwise stated.

The terms “substantial,” “substantially,” and variations thereof as usedherein are intended to note that a described feature is equal orapproximately equal to a value or description. For example, a“substantially planar” surface is intended to denote a surface that isplanar or approximately planar. Moreover, “substantially” is intended todenote that two values are equal or approximately equal. In someembodiments, “substantially” may denote values within about 10% of eachother, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of eachother.

As used herein the terms “the,” “a,” or “an,” mean “at least one,” andshould not be limited to “only one” unless explicitly indicated to thecontrary. Thus, for example, reference to “a component” includesembodiments having two or more such components unless the contextclearly indicates otherwise.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3-6, 10-12B, and 14-17, a vehicle 10 isillustrated. In FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 is an SUV. It is contemplatedthat the vehicle 10 may be one of a variety of types of vehicles (e.g.,SUV, crossover, truck, sedan, van, coupe, etc.), in various embodiments.The vehicle 10 includes a cabin 12 for receiving passengers of thevehicle 10. The vehicle 10 includes a closure panel 14. In variousembodiments, the vehicle 10 includes a plurality of closure panels 14.For example, in some implementations, the vehicle 10 may include sidedoors, windows, sunroofs, rear cargo doors, a trunk door, and/or atailgate. The closure panel 14 may be operable between open and closedpositions. In some embodiments, opening the closure panel 14 may provideaccess to the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10. In other words, in someembodiments, the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10 may be in fluidcommunication with an exterior environment 16 of the vehicle 10 if theclosure panel 14 is in the open position. In an exemplary embodiment,wherein the closure panel 14 is a window disposed within a driver's sidedoor of the vehicle 10, opening the window provides access to the cabin12 of the vehicle 10.

In some embodiments, opening the closure panel 14 may provide access toa cargo area 18 of the vehicle 10. The cargo area 18 may be an area ofthe vehicle 10 for receiving cargo for storage therein. In someimplementations, the cargo area 18 may be positioned within the cabin 12of the vehicle 10. For example, the vehicle 10 may include a rearstorage area 20 that is accessible via opening a lift gate of thevehicle 10. In some implementations, the cargo area 18 may be positionedoutside of the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10. For example, the vehicle 10may be a pickup truck, the cargo area 18 may be a bed of the truck, andthe closure panel 14 may be a tailgate of the truck that gives access tothe bed. In another example, the vehicle 10 may be an electric vehicle,the cargo area 18 may be a front trunk, and the closure panel 14 may bea hood that is moveable to an open position to provide access to thefront trunk.

In various embodiments, the closure panel 14 may be operable to pivotabout a pivot axis 22 between the open and closed positions. It iscontemplated that, in various embodiments, the closure panel 14 may beoperable to move between the open and closed positions in at least oneof a variety of ways (e.g., translation, sliding, pivoting, etc.). Insome embodiments, one or more closure panels 14 of the vehicle 10 may beoperable to be power actuated between the open and closed positions viaoperation of one or more actuators 24 coupled to the vehicle 10. Varioustypes of actuators 24 configured to move one or more closure panels 14are contemplated (e.g., electric motor, pistons, solenoid, etc.).

In various embodiments, the vehicle 10 includes a rear gate assembly 26.The rear gate assembly 26 may be positioned at a rearward end 28 of thevehicle 10 and may be operable to selectively provide access to at leastone of the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10 and the cargo area 18 of thevehicle 10. In some embodiments, the rear gate assembly 26 may include asingle closure panel 14. For example, the rear gate assembly 26 mayinclude a single trunk door operable to provide access to a trunk of thevehicle 10 in the open position. In another example, the rear gateassembly 26 may include a single tailgate of a truck operable to provideaccess to the bed of the truck in the open position. Further, in someexamples, the rear gate assembly 26 may include a single-door lift gatethat pivots to the open position to provide access to the rear storagearea 20 positioned within the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10.

In some embodiments, the rear gate assembly 26 includes a plurality ofclosure panels 14. For example, in some embodiments, the rear gateassembly 26 may include a first closure panel 14 in the form a lift gatedoor, and a second closure panel 14 in the form of a rear glass panel 30coupled to the lift gate door and operable to move relative to the liftgate door between the open and closed positions. In some embodiments,the first closure panel 14 is operable to pivot about a first pivot axis32 a first direction from the closed position to the open position andthe second closure panel 14 is operable to pivot about a second pivotaxis 34 a second direction from the closed position to the openposition, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction.For example, in some embodiments, the rear gate assembly 26 includes atop gate panel 36 and a bottom gate panel 38 vehicle-downward of the topgate panel 36, wherein the first closure panel 14 comprises the top gatepanel 36 and the second closure panel 14 comprises the bottom gate panel38. The top gate panel 36 pivots a first direction (vehicle-upward)about the first pivot axis 32 from the closed position to the openposition. The bottom gate panel 38 pivots a second direction(vehicle-downward) about the second pivot axis 34 that is opposite thefirst direction from the closed position to the open position. Asillustrated in FIG. 6, the top gate panel 36 and the bottom gate panel38 are coupled to each other in their respective closed positions.

In various embodiments, the closure panel 14 may include a distal end 40that is located distally relative to the pivot axis 22 about which theclosure panel 14 pivots between open and closed positions. In someimplementations, wherein the vehicle 10 includes first and secondclosure panels 14, the first and second closure panels 14 may eachinclude distal ends 40. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the topgate panel 36 of the rear gate assembly 26 includes the distal end 40that is located distally from the first pivot axis 32, and the bottomgate panel 38 of the rear gate assembly 26 includes the distal end 40that is located distally from the second pivot axis 34. As illustratedin FIG. 6, the distal ends 40 of the top and bottom gate panels 36, 38are proximate and/or in contact with each other in the closed positionsof the top and bottom gate panels 36, 38. As further illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 3, the top gate panel 36 of the rear gate assembly 26includes the rear glass panel 30.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a support feature 42 may be coupled to the reargate assembly 26. The support feature 42 may facilitate cabin 12 and/orcargo area 18 ingress and/or egress. In some embodiments, the supportfeature 42 is coupled to at least one closure panel 14 of the rear gateassembly 26 that is operable to pivot vehicle-downward from the closedposition to the open position (e.g., tailgate of a truck, bottom gatepanel 38, etc.). The support feature 42 may be operable to move relativeto the at least one closure panel 14 between a retracted position and adeployed position. In various embodiments, the position of the supportfeature 42 in the deployed position is further vehicle-downward than theposition of the support feature 42 in the retracted position. In someimplementations, the support feature 42 is concealed while in theretracted position. For example, in some implementations, the supportfeature 42 is concealed within the at least one closure panel 14 towhich the support feature 42 is coupled while in the retracted position.The support feature 42 may be utilized for ingress and egress while inthe deployed position.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the support feature 42 is aramp 44 that extends out of the bottom gate panel 38 from the retractedposition to the deployed position. The ramp 44 includes a first section46 and a second section 48 operable to translate relative to the firstsection 46. The second section 48 being translatable relative to thefirst section 46 allows the ramp 44 to be concealed within the bottomgate panel 38 of the rear gate assembly 26 while in the retractedposition, yet still extend from the bottom gate panel 38 to the groundin the deployed position. A variety of types of support features 42operable to facilitate ingress and/or egress are contemplated. Forexample, in some embodiments, the support feature 42 may be a portion ofa tailgate of a truck that is generally flush with the tailgate in theretracted position and forms one or more steps that extend generallydownward from the tailgate if the tailgate is in the open position andthe support feature 42 is in the deployed position. In some embodiments,the support feature 42 of the vehicle 10 may be operable to be poweractuated between the retracted and deployed positions. One or moreactuators 24 of the vehicle 10 may be configured to move the supportfeature 42 between the retracted and deployed positions. Various typesof actuators 24 for moving the support feature 42 between the retractedand deployed positions are contemplated.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a system 50 for the vehicle 10 is disclosed.The system 50 may include a sound source device 52. The sound sourcedevice 52 may include one or more of a variety of devices configured toemit sound (e.g., a speaker). In some embodiments, the sound sourcedevice 52 may be a sound exciter 54. The sound exciter 54 may include asound exciter coil and a generally rigid panel. The sound exciter coilmay be coupled to the panel, such that during operation of the soundexciter 54, the sound exciter coil imparts vibration to the panel toproduce sound. The sound source device 52 may be coupled to the vehicle10. In some embodiments, the sound source device 52 is coupled to atleast one closure panel 14 of the vehicle 10. In some implementations,the sound source device 52 may be coupled to at least one closure panel14 of the rear gate assembly 26 of the vehicle 10. For example, thesound source device 52 may be the sound exciter 54 coupled to the rearglass panel 30 that is coupled to the top gate panel 36 of the rear gateassembly 26, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In such embodiments, the soundexciter coil may impart vibration to the rear glass panel 30 to producesound.

In some embodiments, the sound source device 52 may be coupled to and/orintegrated with a portable electronic device 56 of the system 50. Theportable electronic device 56 may be generally distinct from the vehicle10. In some embodiments the portable electronic device 56 may beconfigured to be carried by a user U. For example, the portableelectronic device 56 may be a smartphone, key fob, or other device(e.g., a smartwatch, a laptop, a tablet, etc.). In an exemplaryembodiment, the system 50 includes the portable electronic device 56 inthe form of the smartphone, which includes the sound source device 52 inthe form of a speaker.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 18, and 19, in various embodiments, the system50 of the vehicle 10 may include a human-machine interface (HMI) 58. TheHMI 58 may include a vehicle display 60, such as a center-stack mountednavigation or entertainment display 60. The HMI 58 may further includean input device 62, which may be implemented by configuring the display60 as a portion of a touchscreen 64 with circuitry to receive userinputs entered via user selection of an input option 66 of the inputdevice 62 that corresponds with a location over the display 60, whereina visual representation of the input option 66 may be displayed. Otherforms of input devices 62, such as one or more joysticks, digital inputpads, buttons, dials, or the like, may be used in place of or inaddition to touchscreen 64, in various implementations. In someembodiments, the system 50 may communicate via wireless communicationwith another embodiment of the HMI 58, such as with the portableelectronic device 56. The portable electronic device 56 may also includethe display 60 for displaying one or more images and other informationto the user U. The portable electronic device 56 may be further able toreceive user inputs via touchscreen 64 circuitry and/or other means. Inaddition, the portable electronic device 56 may provide feedbackinformation, such as visual, audible, and tactile alerts.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the system 50 for the vehicle 10 may includea microphone 68 that detects sound. In various embodiments, themicrophone 68 may be coupled to the vehicle 10. In some embodiments, themicrophone 68 may be disposed within the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10. Forexample, the microphone 68 may be positioned within an overhead consoleof the vehicle 10 generally proximate to the driver of the vehicle 10.In some embodiments, the microphone 68 may be coupled to the closurepanel 14 of the vehicle 10. For example, the microphone 68 may becoupled to at least one closure panel 14 of the rear gate assembly 26 ofthe vehicle 10. The microphone 68 may be coupled to an exterior 70 ofthe vehicle 10, such that the microphone 68 is configured to detectsound originating outside of the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10. In someembodiments, the microphone 68 may be coupled to the portable electronicdevice 56. For example, in some embodiments, the microphone 68 may beintegrated into a smartphone that is incorporated into the system 50 forthe vehicle 10.

Referring still to FIGS. 2 and 4, the system 50 for the vehicle 10 mayinclude a sensing system 72. The sensing system 72 includes at least onesensor 74. In various embodiments, the sensing system 72 may includevarious sensors 74 and/or devices that obtain or otherwise provideinformation pertaining to a status of the vehicle 10 and/or variousother entities (e.g., user U of the vehicle 10, living being L inproximity to the vehicle 10, a trailer 130 attached to the vehicle 10,etc.), as described further herein. For example, in some instances, thesensing system 72 may include one or more imagers 76 or any othervision-based device. In some implementations, the sensing system 72 mayinclude one or more imagers 76 that are disposed within the cabin 12 ofthe vehicle 10 and configured to capture an image of the cabin 12 of thevehicle 10. In some implementations, the sensing system 72 may includeone or more imagers 76 that are configured to capture an image of theexterior environment 16 of the vehicle 10. For example, the sensingsystem 72 may include one or more of a center high-mount stop light(CHMSL) imager, a rear imager 78 coupled to or above at least oneclosure panel 14 of the rear gate assembly 26, a forward imager 80proximate to a forward end 82 of the vehicle 10, a left-side side-viewimager 84, and/or a right-side side-view imager 86. The one or moreimagers 76 may include an area-type image sensor, such as a CCD or aCMOS image sensor, and image-capturing optics that capture an image ofan imaging field of view defined by the image-capturing optics.

In some instances, various imagers 76 included in the sensing system 72may be positioned to generally overlap in their respective fields ofview. In this manner, image data from two or more of the imagers 76 maybe combined into a single image or image patch, via an image processingroutine. In such examples, the image data may be used to derivestereoscopic image data that can be used to reconstruct athree-dimensional scene of the area or areas within overlapped areas ofthe various fields of view including any objects (e.g., trailer 130,living being L, etc.) therein.

In some examples, the use of two images including the same object can beused to determine a location of the object relative to the two imagers76, given a known spatial relationship between the imagers 76, throughprojective geometry of the imagers 76. In this respect, knownprogramming and/or functionality may be utilized in an image processingroutine to identify an object within the image data from the variousimagers 76 within the sensing system 72. The image processing routinemay include information related to the positioning of any of the imagers76 present on the vehicle 10, including relative to a center of thevehicle 10.

Referring still to FIGS. 2 and 4, the sensing system 72 may include atleast one of a host of types of sensors 74 operable to sense a proximityand/or position of one or more objects within the cabin 12 and/or in theexterior environment 16 of the vehicle 10. For example, in variousembodiments, the sensing system 72 may include, but is not limited to,one or more of an ultrasonic sensor, a radio detection and ranging(radar) sensor, a sound navigation and ranging (SONAR) sensor, a lightdetection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor, a vision-based sensor, and/or anyother type of sensor known in the art.

In various embodiments, the sensing system 72 includes at least oneradar sensor 88. In some embodiments, the at least radar sensor 88 mayinclude a plurality of radar sensors 88 that cooperate to provideimaging radar. For example, four radar sensors 88 (e.g., TexasInstruments AWR6843 Single Chip 60-GHz to 64-GHz automotive radarsensor) may be incorporated into a single printed circuit board, and thedata collected by the four radar sensors 88 may be utilized to produceimaging radar. The at least one radar sensor 88 may emit a radar beam90. The radar beam 90 may have different beam widths at differentdistances from the radar sensor 88. For example, the radar beam 90 mayhave a beam width of 180 degrees within three meters of the at least oneradar sensor 88, and the radar beam 90 may have a beam width of 120degrees at 100 meters from the at least one radar sensor 88. In someimplementations, the beam width of the radar beam 90 may be adjusted viaa controller 92, as described further herein. For example, thecontroller 92 may be operable to adjust the beam width of the radar beam90 from 180 degrees within three meters of the at least one radar sensor88 to 60 degrees within three meters of the at least one radar sensor88, in some implementations.

In various embodiments, the sensing system 72 may include one or moretemperature sensors 94. The one or more temperature sensors 94 may beoperable to detect a temperature within the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10and/or a temperature in the exterior environment 16 of the vehicle 10.For example, the sensing system 72 may include a temperature sensor 94that is operable to detect an ambient air temperature within the cabin12 of the vehicle 10.

In some embodiments, the sensing system 72 may be operable to sensesunlight. It is contemplated that one or more of a variety of types ofsensors 74 of the sensing system 72 may be utilized to sense sunlight.For example, in some embodiments, the sensing system 72 may include anoptical sensor 96 configured to sense sunlight by converting opticalenergy introduced to the optical sensor 96 into an electric signal. Theoptical sensor 96 may absorb optical energy and sense sunlight usingphotoelectric effects that refer to discharge of electrons caused byabsorption of optical energy. The optical sensor 96 may transmit theconverted electric signal to the controller 92 of the sensing system 72,which may calculate the quantity of light based on the electric signalconverted from the sensed sunlight. In some implementations, the sensingsystem 72 may be operable to sense how much light is entering the cabin12 and/or a portion of the cabin 12. It is contemplated that, in variousembodiments, the controller 92 may make a determination as to how muchand/or at what locations sunlight is entering the vehicle 10 based onthe sensing system 72 sensing one or more effects associated withsunlight. For example, the controller 92 may determine that sunlight isentering a portion of the cabin 12 based on image data received from atleast one imager 76 of the vehicle 10 that reveals an illuminatedportion of the vehicle 10 adjacent to a shaded portion of the vehicle10. Various methods of sensing sunlight and/or determining the presenceof sunlight are contemplated.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the system 50 may include and/or be incommunication with the controller 92. The controller 92 may beconfigured with a microprocessor 98 to process logic and routines storedin memory 100 that receives information from the above-described devicesand systems, including the sensing system 72, the sound source device52, the portable electronic device 56, the microphone 68, the HMI 58,the one or more actuators 24, and/or various other vehicle sensors anddevices. The controller 92 may generate commands to control operation ofvarious components of the vehicle 10 and/or devices incorporated in thesystem 50 of the vehicle 10 as a function of all or a portion of theinformation received. The controller 92 may include the microprocessor98 and/or other analog and/or digital circuitry for processing one ormore routines. Further, the controller 92 may include the memory 100 forstoring one or more routines.

It should be appreciated that the controller 92 may be a stand-alonededicated controller 92 or may be a shared controller 92 integrated withother control functions, such as integrated with the sensing system 72,the portable electronic device 56, and/or other conceivable onboard oroff-board vehicle control systems. It should further be appreciated thatcertain functions may be carried out by a dedicated processor. Forexample, image processing may be carried out by a dedicated processor,and the results of the image processing may be output to othercomponents and systems of vehicle 10, including the microprocessor 98.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, in some embodiments, wherein thevehicle 10 includes first and second closure panels 14 that are operablebetween open and closed positions, at least one sensor 74 may be coupledto the first closure panel 14 and configured to detect an obstruction102 in a pivot path of the second closure panel 14. In other words, theat least one sensor 74 may be coupled to the first closure panel 14 andconfigured to detect an obstruction 102 in the path that the secondclosure panel 14 pivots between the open and closed positions. It iscontemplated that, in various implementations, the at least one sensor74 coupled to the first closure panel 14 may be operable to detect theobstruction 102 in the pivot path of the first closure panel 14 as wellas detect the obstruction 102 in the pivot path of the second closurepanel 14. In some implementations, wherein the at least one sensor 74coupled to the first closure panel 14 is operable to detect theobstruction 102 in the pivot path of the second closure panel 14, thefirst closure panel 14 is operable to pivot about the first pivot axis32 a first direction from the closed position to the open position, andthe second closure panel 14 is operable to pivot about the second pivotaxis 34 a second direction that is opposite the first direction from theclosed position to the open position. Further, in some embodiments, thefirst closure panel 14 includes the distal end 40, which is locateddistally from the first pivot axis 32, and the at least one sensor 74 iscoupled to the first closure panel 14 proximate to the distal end 40.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, the vehicle 10 includesthe rear gate assembly 26. In the illustrated embodiments, the rear gateassembly 26 includes the first closure panel 14 in the form of the topgate panel 36, and the second closure panel 14 in the form of the bottomgate panel 38. The top gate panel 36 is operable to pivot vehicle-upwardabout the first pivot axis 32 from the closed position to the openposition, and the bottom gate panel 38 is operable to pivotvehicle-downward about the second pivot axis 34 from the closed positionto the open position. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, the at least onesensor 74 is coupled to the top gate panel 36 proximate to the distalend 40 of the top gate panel 36. The at least one sensor 74 coupled tothe top gate panel 36 is configured to detect the obstruction 102 in thepivot path of the bottom gate panel 38, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

It is contemplated that the at least one sensor 74 coupled to the firstclosure panel 14 may include one or more of a variety of types ofsensors 74 operable to detect the obstruction 102 in the pivot path ofthe second closure panel 14. For example, the at least one sensor 74 mayinclude one or more of the sensor types of the sensing described herein(e.g., LIDAR, imager 76, SONAR, etc.). In some embodiments, the at leastone sensor 74 may include at least one radar sensor 88. As describedherein, the at least one radar sensor 88 may emit the radar beam 90. Insome embodiments, the radar beam 90 emitted by the at least one radarsensor 88 coupled to the first closure panel 14 may be emitted into thecabin 12 of the vehicle 10 and the exterior environment 16 of thevehicle 10 in the closed position of the first closure panel 14. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the at least one radar sensor 88 iscoupled to the distal end 40 of the top gate panel 36 and is configuredto emit the radar beam 90 into the cabin 12 and exterior environment 16of the vehicle 10 in the closed position with the bottom gate panel 38in the open position. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the at leastone radar sensor 88 coupled to the top gate panel 36 is configured toemit the radar beam 90 into the cabin 12 and exterior environment 16 ofthe vehicle 10 in the closed position of the top gate panel 36 and thebottom gate panel 38. In some implementations, radar beam 90 is emittedwholly into the exterior environment 16 of the vehicle 10 in the openposition of the first closure panel 14. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 17, the radar beam 90 of the at least one radar sensor 88 coupledto the open top gate panel 36 is emitted generally vehicle-rearward,such that the radar beam 90 does not intersect with the cabin 12 of thevehicle 10.

In various embodiments, the controller 92 receives data from the atleast one sensor 74 coupled to the first closure panel 14 and prompts avehicle action based on the received data. In some embodiments, thecontroller 92 may control operation of the first closure panel 14 and/orthe second closure panel 14 based on the data received from the at leastone sensor 74. For example, the at least one sensor 74 coupled to thefirst closure panel 14 may detect an obstruction 102 in the pivot pathof second closure panel 14 as the second closure panel 14 is being poweractuated by one or more actuators 24 from the open position to theclosed position. In response to receiving the data from the at least onesensor 74 indicating the detection of the obstruction 102, thecontroller 92 may control operation of the second closure panel 14 byprompting the actuator 24 to halt movement of the second closure panel14. It is contemplated that the controller 92 may control operation ofone or more closure panels 14 by prompting a variety of actions (e.g.,locking, unlocking, moving toward the open position, moving toward theclosed position, halting movement, etc.).

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the vehicle 10includes the rear gate assembly 26, which includes the top gate panel 36and the bottom gate panel 38. At least one radar sensor 88 is coupled tothe top gate panel 36 and emits the radar beam 90 that intersects thepivot path of the bottom gate panel 38 with the top gate panel 36 in theopen position. In operation, the user U may attempt to close the bottomgate panel 38 remotely via entry of an input into the portableelectronic device 56 (e.g., key fob). The controller 92 then controlsoperation of the bottom gate panel 38 by not moving the bottom gatepanel 38 to the closed position as requested based on data received fromthe at least one radar sensor 88 indicating detection of the obstruction102 in the pivot path of the bottom gate panel 38, as illustrated inFIG. 5. In various implementations, the controller 92 may promptadditional vehicle actions to alert the user U that the request to closethe bottom gate panel 38 was denied. For example, the controller 92 mayprompt the sound source device 52 to emit an audible alert if arequested action is not executed.

Referring now to FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the at least one sensor 74coupled to the first closure panel 14 and operable to detect theobstruction 102 in the pivot path of the second closure panel 14 may befurther operable to detect the obstruction 102 in the travel path of thevehicle 10. In some implementations, the at least one sensor 74 may beoperable to detect the obstruction 102 in the travel path of the vehicle10 with the first and second closure panels 14 in the closed positions.In various embodiments, the at least one sensor 74 may detect anobstruction 102 in the pivot path of the first and/or second closurepanels 14 in a first vehicle state, and the at least one sensor 74 maybe operable to detect the obstruction 102 in the travel path of thevehicle 10 in a second vehicle state. Further, the controller 92 mayinterpret and/or respond to data received from the at least one sensor74 differently in the first vehicle state than the second vehicle state.The presence and/or absence of a variety of vehicle conditions maydetermine whether the vehicle 10 is in the first vehicle state or thesecond vehicle state (e.g., position of closure panels 14, whether thevehicle 10 is turned on, whether the vehicle 10 is in gear, whether acommand to open the closure panel 14 has been entered, speed of thevehicle 10, etc.). In an exemplary embodiment, the first vehicle statemay occur if the vehicle 10 is in a reverse gear, and the second vehiclestate may occur if the vehicle 10 is not in reverse and a closure panel14 operation request (e.g., open the closure panel 14, close the closurepanel 14, etc.) is received.

In various embodiments, the controller 92 may prompt a vehicle actionbased on the at least one sensor 74 detecting the obstruction 102 in thetravel path of the vehicle 10. For example, the controller 92 may promptthe HMI 58 to display a visual alert, the sound source device 52 to emitan audible alert, and/or a vehicle brake system to apply a brake inresponse to the at least one sensor 74 detecting the obstruction 102 inthe travel path of the vehicle 10. Various vehicle actions arecontemplated.

In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle 10 includes the rear gateassembly 26, which is comprised of the top gate panel 36 and the bottomgate panel 38. At least one radar sensor 88 is coupled to the top gatepanel 36 and emits the radar beam 90. In operation, the user U of thevehicle 10 reverses the vehicle 10 with both the top gate panel 36 andthe bottom gate panel 38 in the closed positions, as illustrated in FIG.6. While the vehicle 10 is reversing, a portion of the radar beam 90 ofthe at least one radar sensor 88 is emitted vehicle-rearward into theexterior environment 16 rearward of the vehicle 10. As the vehicle 10approaches an object in the travel path of the vehicle 10, the at leastone radar sensor 88 senses the obstruction 102 and transmits data to thecontroller 92. The controller 92 receives the data indicating thepresence of the obstruction 102 in the travel path of the vehicle 10 andprompts the sound source device 52 to emit an audible warning. Hearingthe audible warning, the driver stops the vehicle 10 short of theobstruction 102, parks, and turns the vehicle 10 off. When the driverlater attempts to remotely open the rear gate assembly 26, the at leastone radar sensor 88 coupled to the top gate panel 36 senses whether anyobstructions 102 are present in the pivot path of the top gate panel 36and the bottom gate panel 38 and transmits data to the controller 92.The controller 92 prompts the top and bottom gate panels 36, 38 to openbased on the data received from the at least one radar sensor 88indicating that no obstructions 102 are present.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, in some embodiments, the sensing system72 may sense at least one characteristic of the user U positioned in theexterior environment 16 of the vehicle 10, and the controller 92 maydetermine a load carrying condition of the user U based on the at leastone characteristic of the user U sensed by the sensing system 72. Thecontroller 92 may be operable to prompt various vehicle actions based onthe determined load carrying condition. In various embodiments, thecontroller 92 is configured to control operation of at least one closurepanel 14 of the vehicle 10 based on the determined load carryingcondition. For example, the controller 92 may prompt actuation of afirst closure panel 14 from the closed position to the open positionbased on a determination of a first load carrying condition of the userU, and the controller 92 may prompt actuation of the first closure panel14 and a second closure panel 14 from the closed positions to the openpositions, respectively, based on a determination of a second loadcarrying condition of the user U.

The sensing system 72 may be configured to sense a variety ofcharacteristics of the user U in the exterior environment 16 of thevehicle 10. In some embodiments, the sensing system 72 may sense atleast one characteristic of at least one hand of the user U. Forexample, the sensing system 72 may sense the position of one or both ofthe hands of the user U (e.g., at the user's side, in front of the userU, etc.) as the user U approaches the vehicle 10, movement of one orboth of the user's hands as the user U walks, and/or the shape of theuser's hands (e.g., open, closed, etc.). Further, the sensing system 72may sense at least one characteristic of a gait of the user U. Forexample, the sensing system 72 may sense the speed that the user U iswalking, the position of various portions of the user U (e.g., head,shoulders, etc.), and/or the posture of the user U approaching thevehicle 10 (e.g., whether the user U is standing up straight or hunchedover). In some implementations, the sensing system 72 may sense at leastone characteristic of an object 104 held by the user U. For example, thesensing system 72 may sense the shape, size, and/or position of theobject 104 held by the user U. It is contemplated that the sensingsystem 72 may sense a plurality of characteristics (e.g., object 104,gait, hands, etc.) simultaneously, in some embodiments. Further, avariety of other characteristics may be sensed by the sensing system 72,in some embodiments.

It is contemplated that various types of sensors 74 and devices of thesensing system 72 may be utilized to sense the at least onecharacteristic of the user U in the exterior environment 16 of thevehicle 10. For example, one or more LIDAR sensors, imagers 76, SONARsensors, and/or radar sensors 88 of the sensing system 72 may beutilized to sense the at least one characteristic of the user U. In someembodiments, the sensing system 72 may utilize at least one radar sensor88 to sense the at least one characteristic of the user U. For example,a plurality of radar sensors 88 that in cooperation produce imagingradar, as described herein, may be utilized in some embodiments. In someimplementations, one or more imagers 76 of the sensing system 72 may beutilized to sense the at least one characteristic of the user U. Forexample, the rear imager 78 may capture image data of the at least onecharacteristic of the user U. It is contemplated that a plurality oftypes of sensors 74 of the sensing system 72 may be utilized to sensethe at least one characteristic of the user U cooperatively via sensorfusion, in various implementations.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the controller 92 may determine the loadcarrying condition of the user U based on the characteristics of theuser U sensed by the sensing system 72. In some embodiments, thecontroller 92 may determine a first load carrying condition of the userU based on the data gathered by the sensing system 72 while the sensingsystem 72 is sensing the user U with at least one free hand. Forexample, the controller 92 may determine the first load carryingcondition of the user U based on the sensed swinging movement of thehand as the user U walks and/or the sensed shape of the open-palmed handthat occurs when the user U approaches the vehicle 10 with at least onehand free. The controller 92 may determine a second load carryingcondition of the user U based on the data gathered by the sensing system72 while the sensing system 72 is sensing the user U with both handsfull. For example, the controller 92 may determine the second loadcarrying condition of the user U based on the sensed positions of thehands in front of the user U and/or the sensed shape of the closed fistsof the user U that occurs when the both hands of the user U are full.

In some embodiments, the controller 92 may determine the load carryingcondition of the user U based on the data gathered by the sensing system72 while the sensing system 72 is sensing the gait of the user U. Forexample, the controller 92 may determine a first load carrying conditionbased on data from the sensing system 72 indicating the user's gaitconforms to a natural gait of the user U, wherein the user U isunencumbered or not carrying a load. Further, the controller 92 maydetermine a second load carrying condition based on data from thesensing system 72 that indicates the gait of the user U is not naturaland/or conforms with a load carrying gait. For example, the sensingsystem 72 may sense the user U walking slowly with slumped shoulders,and the controller 92 may determine a second load carrying condition ofthe user U as a result.

In some embodiments, the controller 92 determines the load carryingcondition of the user U based on at least one sensed characteristic ofthe object 104 held by the user U. For example, the controller 92 maydetermine a first load carrying condition based on the object 104 heldby the user U being smaller than a predetermined size threshold. Thecontroller 92 may determine a second load carrying condition based onthe object 104 carried by the user U being above the predetermined sizethreshold. In an exemplary embodiment, the controller 92 may determine afirst load carrying condition of the user U based on the sensing system72 sensing the user U holding an object 104 of a first size, and thecontroller 92 may determine a second load carrying condition of the userU based on the sensing system 72 sensing the user U holding an object104 of a second size, wherein the second size is greater than the firstsize. It is contemplated that, in various embodiments, the controller 92may determine the load carrying condition of the user U based on aplurality of sensed characteristics of the user U. For example, thecontroller 92 may determine the load carrying condition of the user Ubased on the sensed characteristics of the user's hands, gait, and/orthe object 104 held by the user U. A variety of other user Ucharacteristics are contemplated.

In various embodiments, the controller 92 may be operable to promptvarious vehicle actions based on the determined load carrying conditionof the user U. In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle 10 includes therear gate assembly 26, which includes the top gate panel 36 and thebottom gate panel 38, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In operation, the user Uapproaches the rear gate assembly 26 by walking with a natural gaitwhile carrying a handbag with one hand and no items in the other hand,as illustrated in FIG. 7. The sensing system 72 senses the user Uapproaching in this manner and transmits data indicative of one or moreof these characteristics of the user U to the controller 92. Thecontroller 92 determines, based on data received from the sensing system72, a first load carrying condition of the user U. In response to thedetermination of the first load carrying condition of the user U thecontroller 92 prompts movement of the top gate panel 36 from the closedposition to the open position. The bottom gate panel 38 remains in theclosed position. Later, the user U approaches the rear gate assembly 26by walking with an encumbered gait, wherein the user's shoulders arehunched over, while carrying a box with both hands, as illustrated inFIG. 8. The sensing system 72 senses the user U approaching in thismanner and transmits data indicative of one or more of thesecharacteristics of the user U to the controller 92. The controller 92determines, based on the received data, a second load carrying conditionof the user U. In response to the determination of the second loadcarrying condition of the user U, the controller 92 prompts movement ofthe top and bottom gate panels 36, 38 from the closed positions to theopen positions.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a method 106 for providing access to thevehicle 10 is disclosed. The method 106 for providing access to thevehicle 10 includes the step 108 of sensing the user U positioned in theexterior environment 16 of the vehicle 10 with the sensing system 72. Insome implementations, the step 108 of sensing the user U positioned inthe exterior environment 16 of the vehicle 10 comprises sensing the userU approaching the vehicle 10. The step 108 may comprise sensing the userU approaching a rear portion of the vehicle 10, such as the rear gateassembly 26 of the vehicle 10.

The method 106 for providing access to the vehicle 10 may furtherinclude the step 110 of determining a load carrying condition of theuser U with a controller 92 based on data from the sensing system 72. Asdescribed herein, in various embodiments, the controller 92 maydetermine the load carrying condition based on at least one sensedcharacteristic of the user U, such as one or more characteristics of thehands of the user U, the gait of the user U, and/or an object 104carried by the user U. For example, if the user U has a free hand, asillustrated in FIG. 7, the controller 92 may determine a first loadcarrying condition. Conversely, if the hands of the user U are full, asillustrated in FIG. 8, the controller 92 may determine a second loadcarrying condition of the user U.

The method 106 of providing access to the vehicle 10 may further includethe step 112 of opening at least one of a first closure panel 14 of thevehicle 10 and a second closure panel 14 of the vehicle 10 based on thedetermined load carrying condition of the user U. In variousembodiments, the first closure panel 14 is opened if the first loadcarrying condition is determined by the controller 92, and the first andsecond closure panels 14 are opened if the second load carryingcondition is determined by the controller 92. In some implementations,the first closure panel 14 forms at least a portion of the rear gateassembly 26 of the vehicle 10. For example, the first closure panel 14may be an openable rear glass panel 30 coupled to a lift gate, in someembodiments. In another embodiment, the first closure panel 14 may bethe top gate panel 36 of the rear gate assembly 26 that includes the topgate panel 36 and the bottom gate panel 38. In some embodiments, thefirst closure panel 14 is operable to pivot about the first pivot axis32 a first direction from the closed position to the open position andthe second closure panel 14 is operable to pivot about the second pivotaxis 34 a second direction from the closed position to the openposition, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction.In some embodiments, the first and second closure panels 14 are top andbottom gate panels 36, 38 of the rear gate assembly 26 of the vehicle10, respectively. The bottom gate panel 38 is positionedvehicle-downward of the top gate panel 36 and the first and secondclosure panels 14 are coupled to each other in the closed positions, asillustrated in FIG. 6.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 10-12B, in some embodiments, the sensingsystem 72 may detect a living being L. The living being L may be theuser U, as described herein, or an animal. In some implementations, theliving being L may be a four-legged animal, such as a dog or a cat. Atleast one of a variety of types of sensors 74 included in the sensingsystem 72 may be utilized to sense the living being L. For example, oneor more LIDAR sensors, imagers 76, SONAR sensors, and/or radar sensors88 of the sensing system 72 may be utilized to sense the living being L,in some embodiments.

Referring still to FIGS. 2 and 10-12B, as described herein, the sensingsystem 72 transmits data to the controller 92. The controller 92 mayauthenticate the identity of the living being L and/or determine theposition of the living being L based on the data received from thesensing system 72. In some embodiments, image data transmitted from atleast one imager 76 of the sensing system 72 may be utilized by thecontroller 92 to authenticate the identity of the living being L. Insome implementations, the controller 92 may process the image dataand/or utilize otherwise processed image data to perform a facialrecognition analysis of the living being L to authenticate the identityof the living being L. It is contemplated that various other biometriccomparisons may be performed to authenticate the identity of the livingbeing L, in various implementations. For example, the size, color,shape, and/or position of living being L and/or one or more portionsthereof, as sensed by the sensing system 72, may be utilized toauthenticate the identity of the living being L. It is contemplated thatthe data collected by the sensing system 72 may be compared againstreference data stored within memory 100. For example, one or morereference images of the living being L may be stored in memory 100 andcompared to image data of the living being L collected by the at leastone imager 76 of the sensing system 72 to authenticate the identity ofthe living being L.

As described herein, the controller 92 may determine the position of theliving being L based on the data received from the sensing system 72. Insome embodiments, the controller 92 may determine the position of theliving being L relative to the vehicle 10 and/or a portion of thevehicle 10. In some embodiments, the controller 92 determines theposition of the living being L relative to the rear gate assembly 26 ofthe vehicle 10. As described herein, a variety of sensors 74 of thesensing system 72 may be utilized to sense the proximity and/or positionof the living being L, in various embodiments. In an exemplaryembodiment, the rear gate assembly 26 of the vehicle 10 includes top andbottom gate panels 36, 38, and at least one radar sensor 88 is coupledto the top gate panel 36. The controller 92 may determine the positionof the living being L based on data received from the at least one radarsensor 88.

Referring still to FIGS. 2 and 10-12B, the controller 92 may controloperation of the rear gate assembly 26 of the vehicle 10 based on thedetermined position of the living being L and/or the authenticatedidentity of the living being L. In such embodiments, the rear gateassembly 26 of the vehicle 10 may include at least one closure panel 14that is operable to pivot vehicle-downward from the closed position tothe open position. The closure panel 14 may selectively provide accessto the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10 and/or the cargo area 18 of thevehicle 10, in various embodiments. For example, in some embodiments,the vehicle 10 is a truck and the at least one closure panel 14 is thetailgate of the truck that pivots vehicle-downward from the closedposition to the open position to provide access to the cargo area 18 ofthe vehicle 10, which is the bed of the truck. In another exemplaryembodiment, the rear gate assembly 26 of the vehicle 10 includes the topgate panel 36 and the bottom gate panel 38, as illustrated in FIG. 1.The bottom gate panel 38 is operable to pivot vehicle-downward from theclosed position to the open position to provide access to the cabin 12of the vehicle 10. Various types of rear gate assemblies 26 arecontemplated.

In various embodiments, wherein the controller 92 is configured tocontrol operation of the rear gate assembly 26 based on the determinedposition of the living being L and/or the authenticated identity of theliving being L, the rear gate assembly 26 of the vehicle 10 includes thesupport feature 42. As described herein, the support feature 42 may becoupled to the at least one closure panel 14 that is operable to pivotvehicle-downward from the closed position to the open position. Thesupport feature 42 may move relative to the at least one closure panel14 between the retracted position and the deployed position. Asillustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, in the open position of the at least oneclosure panel 14, the position of the support feature 42 in the deployedposition is further vehicle-downward than the position of the supportfeature 42 in the retracted position. In the illustrated embodiment, thesupport feature 42 comprises the ramp 44 that extends out of the atleast one closure panel 14 from the retracted position to the deployedposition. As described herein, various types of support features 42operable to move between the retracted and deployed positions arecontemplated.

In various embodiments, the controller 92 may control operation of therear gate assembly 26 by controlling movement of the closure panel 14and/or the support feature 42 via one or more actuators 24 based on thedetermined position of the living being L and/or the authenticatedidentity of the living being L. In an exemplary embodiment, thecontroller 92 may receive data from the sensing system 72 and determinethat the living being L is positioned within a predetermined distancefrom the at least one closure panel 14 of the rear gate assembly 26 ofthe vehicle 10. Further, the controller 92 may authenticate the identityof the living being L by determining that the identity of the livingbeing L matches an identity profile stored in memory 100. In response,the controller 92 may move the at least one closure panel 14 from theclosed position to the open position and move the support feature 42from the retracted position to the deployed position via the one or moreactuators 24. It is contemplated that, in some embodiments, one of theat least one closure panel 14 of the rear gate assembly 26 and thesupport feature 42 coupled with the closure panel 14 may be operated inresponse to the controller 92 authenticating the identity of the livingbeing L and/or determining the position of the living being L. Forexample, in some embodiments, the at least one closure panel 14 may movefrom the closed position to the open position. In other embodiments, theat least one closure panel 14 may be in the open position, and thesupport feature 42 may move from the retracted position to the deployedposition.

In various embodiments, the controller 92 may control operation of therear gate assembly 26 based on the determined position of the livingbeing L relative to a portion of the vehicle 10. In some embodiments,the controller 92 may control operation of the rear gate assembly 26based on the position of the living being L relative to the rear gateassembly 26 of the vehicle 10. For example, the controller 92 maycontrol operation of the rear gate assembly 26 based on the proximity ofthe living being L to the rear gate assembly 26. In some embodiments,the controller 92 may control operation of the rear gate assembly 26based on the determined position of the living being L within the cabin12 of the vehicle 10. For example, the imager 76 disposed within thecabin 12 of the vehicle 10 may collect image data of the living being Lpositioned inside of the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10 and transmit theimage data to the controller 92. The controller 92 may determine thatthe living being L is positioned within a predetermined proximity to therear gate assembly 26 of the vehicle 10 and prompt one or more actuators24 to move the support feature 42 from the retracted position to thedeployed position.

In some embodiments, the controller 92 may control operation of the reargate assembly 26 of the vehicle 10 based on the position of the livingbeing L in the exterior environment 16 of the vehicle 10. For example,at least one radar sensor 88 of the sensing system 72 of the vehicle 10may detect the living being L in the exterior environment 16 of thevehicle 10 and transmit corresponding data to the controller 92. Thecontroller 92 may determine that the living being L is within apredetermined proximity of the rear gate assembly 26 of the vehicle 10based on the data received from the at least one radar sensor 88. Inresponse, the controller 92 may prompt one or more actuators 24 to movethe support feature 42 from the retracted position to the deployedposition.

Referring now to FIGS. 10-12B, in an exemplary embodiment, the rear gateassembly 26 of the vehicle 10 includes the top gate panel 36 and thebottom gate panel 38. The support feature 42 is coupled to the bottomgate panel 38. At least one radar sensor 88 is coupled to the top gatepanel 36. A first imager 76 is coupled to the exterior 70 of the vehicle10, and a second imager 76 is positioned within the cabin 12 of thevehicle 10. The first imager 76 has a field of view generallyvehicle-rearward of the rear gate assembly 26 of the vehicle 10. Thesecond imager 76 has a field of view that generally encompasses the rearstorage area 20 within the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10. In operation, adog is initially within the rear storage area 20 of the vehicle 10 whilethe top and bottom gate panels 36, 38 of the rear gate assembly 26 areopen. Next, the dog moves onto the open bottom gate panel 38 from therear storage area 20. The second imager 76 captures image data of thedog positioned on the open bottom gate panel 38 and transmits the imagedata to the controller 92. The controller 92 determines the position ofthe dog based on the image data received from the second imager 76 andprompts movement of the support feature 42 from the retracted positionto the deployed position based on the determined position, asillustrated in FIG. 12A. Next, the dog walks down the support feature 42and onto the ground in the exterior environment 16 of the vehicle 10,and the controller 92 prompts movement of the support feature 42 fromthe deployed position back to the retracted position, as illustrated inFIG. 12B. The dog subsequently leaves the immediate vicinity of thevehicle 10 and then returns, as illustrated in FIG. 10. As the dogapproaches the rear gate assembly 26, the first imager 76 collects imagedata of the dog, and the at least one radar sensor 88 senses the dogproximate to the bottom gate panel 38. The image data from the firstimager 76 and the data from the at least one radar sensor 88 istransmitted to the controller 92. The controller 92 authenticates theidentity of the dog by comparing the captured image data with anidentity profile stored in memory 100, and the controller 92 determinesthe position of the dog based on the data received from the at least oneradar sensor 88. Next, the controller 92 prompts movement of the supportfeature 42 from the retracted position to the deployed position based onthe authentication of the identity of the dog and the determinedposition of the dog. The dog is then able to climb onto the supportfeature 42 and return to the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10, as illustratedin FIG. 11.

Referring now to FIG. 13, a method 114 for providing access to thevehicle 10 is illustrated. The method 114 for providing access to thevehicle 10 may include the step 116 of detecting the living being L withthe sensing system 72 of the vehicle 10. In some embodiments, the livingbeing L may be a four-legged being, such as a dog or a cat. As such, themethod 114 for providing access to the vehicle 10 may include the step116 of detecting a four-legged living being L with the sensing system 72of the vehicle 10. As described above, the sensing system 72 may employa variety of sensors 74 to sense the four-legged living being L (e.g.,imagers 76, radar sensors 88, etc.). In some embodiments, the sensingsystem 72 may sense the living being L in the exterior environment 16 ofthe vehicle 10, the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10, and/or the cargo area 18of the vehicle 10.

The method 114 for providing access to the vehicle 10 may include thestep 118 of authenticating the identity of the living being L. The step118 of authenticating the identity of the living being L may beperformed by the controller 92 in response to receiving data from thesensing system 72. The controller 92 may authenticate the identity ofthe living being L in a variety of manners (e.g., facial recognition,biometric comparison, etc.) as described above, in variousimplementations. In some embodiments, the step 118 of authenticating theliving being L may include the step 120 of determining the size of theliving being L. The step 120 of determining the size of the living beingL may be performed by the controller 92 via the processing of datareceived from the sensing system 72. In an exemplary embodiment of themethod 114 for providing access to the vehicle 10, at least one imager76 of the sensing system 72 of the vehicle 10 collects image data of theliving being L, and the controller 92 processes that image data todetermine the size of the living being L. It is contemplated that avariety of other characteristics of the living being L may be determinedin the step 118 of authenticating the identity of the living being L, insome implementations (e.g., color, shape, etc.).

The method 114 for providing access to the vehicle 10 may furtherinclude the step 122 of determining the position of the living being L.In some embodiments, the step 122 of determining the position of theliving being L may include determining the position of the living beingL relative to the vehicle 10 and/or a portion of the vehicle 10. Forexample, the position of the living being L relative to the rear gateassembly 26 of the vehicle 10 may be determined. In some embodiments,the position of the living being L in the exterior environment 16, thecabin 12, and/or the cargo area 18 of the vehicle 10 may be determined.The position of the living being L may be determined via the controller92 based on data received from the sensing system 72 of the vehicle 10.As described herein, one or more of a variety of types of sensors 74 ofthe sensing system 72 may be utilized to determine the position of theliving being L.

The method 114 for providing access to the vehicle 10 may furtherinclude the step 124 of detecting a gesture of the living being L. Thegesture may be detected with the sensing system 72. In some examples, atleast one radar sensor 88 of the sensing system 72 coupled to the topgate panel 36 of the rear gate assembly 26 may detect the gesture of theliving being L when the living being L is proximate to the rear gateassembly 26 of the vehicle 10. A variety of gestures are contemplated.For example, in some embodiments, wherein the living being L is a humanuser U of the vehicle 10, the gesture that is detected may be pointingwith the user's U hand/or swinging of the user's U foot. In someembodiments, wherein the living being L is a four-legged animal, thegesture that is detected may include standing on the hind legs, jumping,and/or swiping at the air with a front leg.

The method 114 for providing access to the vehicle 10 may furtherinclude the step 126 of operating the rear gate assembly 26 of thevehicle 10. The step 126 of operating the rear gate assembly 26 mayinclude movement of at least one closure panel 14 of the rear gateassembly 26 of the vehicle 10 between the open and closed positionsand/or movement of the support feature 42 between the retracted anddeployed positions. For example, in some embodiments, wherein the reargate assembly 26 includes the top gate panel 36, the bottom gate panel38, and the support feature 42 operably coupled to the bottom gate panel38, the step 126 of operating the rear gate assembly 26 may include atleast one of pivoting the top gate panel 36 vehicle-upward from theclosed position to the open position, pivoting the top gate panel 36vehicle-downward from the open position to the closed position, pivotingthe bottom gate panel 38 vehicle-downward from the closed position tothe open position, pivoting the bottom gate panel 38 vehicle-upward fromthe open position to the closed position, moving the support feature 42from the retracted position to the deployed position, and moving thesupport feature 42 from the deployed position to the retracted position.In some embodiments, the step 126 of operating the rear gate assembly 26of the vehicle 10 may include at least one of pivoting at least oneclosure panel 14 of the rear gate assembly 26 vehicle-downward from theclosed position to the open position and moving the support feature 42coupled to the at least one closure panel 14 from the retracted positionto the deployed position, wherein, in the open position of the at leastone closure panel 14, the position of the support feature 42 in thedeployed position is further vehicle-downward than the support feature42 in the retracted position.

In various embodiments, the step 126 of operating the rear gate assembly26 of the vehicle 10 may be controlled by the controller 92. In someimplementations, the controller 92 may control operation of the reargate assembly 26 of the vehicle 10 based on authentication of theidentity of the living being L, the position of the living being L,and/or based on a detected gesture of the living being L. In someembodiments, the controller 92 may control operation of the rear gateassembly 26 of the vehicle 10 based on the determined size of the livingbeing L. In an exemplary embodiment, the rear gate assembly 26 may beoperated based on the size of the living being L and the detectedgesture of the living being L.

Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, in some embodiments, the vehicle 10includes first and second closure panels 14 that are operable betweenopen and closed positions, and at least one sensor 74 that is coupled tothe first closure panel 14 and configured to detect precipitation 128.In such embodiments, the controller 92 may prompt movement of the firstclosure panel 14 from a first open position to a second open positionbased on the detected precipitation 128.

Referring still to FIGS. 14 and 15, in some embodiments, the firstclosure panel 14 may form at least a portion of the rear gate assembly26 of the vehicle 10. For example, the first closure panel 14 may be asingle-door lift gate that pivots to the open position to provide accessto the rear storage area 20 positioned within the cabin 12 of thevehicle 10. The second closure panel 14 may be one of a variety ofclosure panels 14 of the vehicle 10 (e.g., window, side door, sunroof,etc.). In some embodiments, the second closure panel 14 may form atleast a portion of the rear gate assembly 26 of the vehicle 10. In anexemplary embodiment, the first and second closure panels 14 may formportions of the rear gate assembly 26, as described further herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 14, and 15, in some implementations, the firstclosure panel 14 is operable to pivot a first direction about the firstpivot axis 32 away from the closed position, and the second closurepanel 14 is operable to pivot a second direction about the second pivotaxis 34 away from the closed position, wherein the second direction isopposite the first direction. This is the case in the exemplaryembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein the rear gate assembly 26includes the top gate panel 36 and the bottom gate panel 38vehicle-downward of the top gate panel 36; the first closure panel 14comprises the top gate panel 36 and the second closure panel 14comprises the bottom gate panel 38. In such embodiments, the first andsecond closure panels 14 are coupled to each other when the first andsecond closure panels 14 are in the closed positions.

Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, at least one sensor 74 that detectsthe precipitation 128 may be coupled to the first closure panel 14. Itis contemplated that the at least one sensor 74 may be at least one of ahost of types of sensors 74 configured to detect precipitation 128, invarious embodiments. For example, the at least one sensor 74 may be arain sensor that emits an infrared light beam and detects precipitation128 by sensing the amount of light that is reflected back to the rainsensor. In some embodiments, the at least one sensor 74 may include atleast one radar sensor 88. The at least one radar sensor 88 may emit theradar beam 90, as described herein. In various embodiments, the at leastone radar sensor 88 may be operable to detect the precipitation 128 inthe exterior environment 16 of the vehicle 10. In some embodiments, theat least one radar sensor 88 may detect the precipitation 128 enteringthe cabin 12 of the vehicle 10. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 14,the at least one radar sensor 88 coupled to the open first closure panel14 emits the radar beam 90, such that a portion of the radar beam 90 isemitted into the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10, and a portion of the radarbeam 90 is emitted into the exterior environment 16 of the vehicle 10.The at least one radar sensor 88 may detect the precipitation 128entering the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10 by detecting the precipitation128 that coincides with the portion of the radar beam 90 that is emittedinto the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10. In some embodiments, the at leastone radar sensor 88 may be configured to detect the speed and/ordirection of the movement of the precipitation 128, as described furtherherein.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 14, and 15, the controller 92 may promptmovement of the first closure panel 14 from the first open position tothe second open position based on the at least one sensor 74 detectingthe precipitation 128. In various embodiments, the controller 92 mayprompt movement of the first closure panel 14 from the first openposition to the second open position based on the at least one sensor 74detecting the precipitation 128 entering the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10.In some embodiments, wherein the at least one sensor 74 includes atleast one radar sensor 88 operable to emit the radar beam 90 at leastpartially into the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10, the controller 92 mayprompt movement of the first closure panel 14 from the first openposition to the second open position based on the detection of theprecipitation 128 that coincides with the portion of the radar beam 90that is emitted into the cabin 12. In some embodiments, wherein the atleast one sensor 74 includes at least one radar sensor 88, thecontroller 92 may prompt movement of the first closure panel 14 from thefirst open position to the second open position based on the senseddirection of movement of the precipitation 128 and/or the sensed speedof movement of the precipitation 128. In an exemplary embodiment, the atleast one radar sensor 88 may detect the direction of movement of theprecipitation 128 and transmit corresponding data to the controller 92.The controller 92 may determine that the precipitation 128 is enteringthe cabin 12 of the vehicle 10 based on the data received from the atleast one radar sensor 88 and prompt movement of the first closure panel14 in response. In various embodiments, the controller 92 may promptmovement of the first closure panel 14 and/or the second closure panel14 via actuation of one or more actuators 24 operably coupled with thefirst and/or second closure panels 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 6, 14, and 15, the position of the first closurepanel 14 in the first open position may be further than the position ofthe first closure panel 14 in the second open position from the positionof the first closure panel 14 in the closed position. As illustrated inFIG. 15, wherein the first closure panel 14 is the top gate panel 36,the position of the first closure panel 14 in the second open positionis between the position of the first closure panel 14 in the first openposition (FIG. 14) and the position of the first closure panel 14 in theclosed position (FIG. 6). The first closure panel 14 may move toward theclosed position from the first open position to the second openposition. In various embodiments, the first closure panel 14 is lessopen in the second open position than the first open position. In someembodiments, the first closure panel 14 may be substantially fully openin the first open position. It is contemplated that the first closurepanel 14 may be operable to be actuated into various positions inaddition to the first and second open positions, in someimplementations. For example, the first closure panel 14 may be operableto enter a position between the first and second open positions and/or aposition between the second open position and the closed position, insome embodiments.

It is contemplated that the controller 92 may prompt movement of thefirst closure panel 14 to the closed position based on detectedprecipitation 128, detected precipitation 128 entering the cabin 12,detection of precipitation 128 with a portion of the radar beam 90 thatis emitted into the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10, the speed of thedetected precipitation 128, and/or the direction of the detectedprecipitation 128, in various embodiments. Further, it is contemplatedthat the second closure panel 14 may be operable to move between aplurality of open positions and/or the closed position based on detectedprecipitation 128, detected precipitation 128 entering the cabin 12,detection of precipitation 128 with a portion of the radar beam 90 thatis emitted into the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10, the speed of thedetected precipitation 128, and/or the direction of the detectedprecipitation 128.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 14 and 15, in an exemplary embodiment, therear gate assembly 26 of the vehicle 10 includes the top gate panel 36,which is operable to pivot vehicle-downward toward the closed position,and the bottom gate panel 38, which is operable to pivot vehicle-upwardtoward the closed position. The top gate panel 36 is operable between afirst open position, as illustrated in FIG. 14, and a second openposition that is nearer to the closed position, as illustrated in FIG.15. At least one radar sensor 88 is coupled to the top gate panel 36 andis configured to emit the radar beam 90. As illustrated in FIG. 14, theat least one radar sensor 88 is configured to emit a portion of theradar beam 90 into the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10 when the top gatepanel 36 is in the first open position. In operation of the exemplaryembodiment, precipitation 128 in the form of rain is entering the cabin12 of the vehicle 10 via the access provided by rear gate assembly 26when the top gate panel 36 is in the first open position and the bottomgate panel 38 is in the closed position. The at least one radar sensor88 detects the precipitation 128 with the portion of the radar beam 90that is emitted into the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10 with the top gatepanel 36 in the first open position. Data that indicates theprecipitation 128 entering the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10 is transmittedfrom the at least one radar sensor 88 to the controller 92. Thecontroller 92 prompts movement of the top gate panel 36 from the firstopen position, as illustrated in FIG. 14, to the second open position,as illustrated in FIG. 15, based on the data received from the at leastone radar sensor 88. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the precipitation 128 isblocked from entering the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10 by the top gatepanel 36 in the second open position. In various embodiments, moving thetop gate panel 36 from the first open position to the second openposition, as described herein, may advantageously prevent precipitation128 from entering the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10, while allowing the topgate panel 36 to remain in an open position.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 14, and 15, in some embodiments, the vehicle10 includes first and second closure panels 14. The first closure panel14 is operable between open and closed positions. The cabin 12 of thevehicle 10 is in fluid communication with the exterior environment 16 ofthe vehicle 10 with the first closure panel 14 in the open position. Thesecond closure panel 14 is operable between open and closed positions.The cabin 12 of the vehicle 10 is in fluid communication with theexterior environment 16 of the vehicle 10 with the second closure panel14 in the open position. The sensing system 72 of the vehicle 10 isoperable to sense the temperature within the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10.The controller 92 prompts movement of the first closure panel 14 towardthe closed position based on the sensed temperature within the cabin 12exceeding a threshold temperature.

Referring still to FIGS. 1, 14, and 15, in various embodiments, thefirst closure panel 14 and/or the second closure panel 14 may be one ofa variety of types of closure panels 14 of the vehicle 10 (e.g., window,side door, sunroof, etc.). In some embodiments, the first closure panel14 may form at least a portion of the rear gate assembly 26 of thevehicle 10. For example, the first closure panel 14 may be a single-doorlift gate that pivots to the open position to provide access to the rearstorage area 20 positioned within the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10. Insome embodiments, the second closure panel 14 may form at least aportion of the rear gate assembly 26 of the vehicle 10. In an exemplaryembodiment, the first and second closure panels 14 may form portions ofthe rear gate assembly 26, as described further herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 6, 14, and 15, in some implementations, thefirst closure panel 14 is operable to pivot a first direction about thefirst pivot axis 32 away from the closed position, and the secondclosure panel 14 is operable to pivot a second direction about thesecond pivot axis 34 away from the closed position, wherein the seconddirection is opposite the first direction. This is the case in theexemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6, wherein the rear gateassembly 26 includes the top gate panel 36 and the bottom gate panel 38vehicle-downward of the top gate panel 36; the first closure panel 14comprises the top gate panel 36 and the second closure panel 14comprises the bottom gate panel 38. In such embodiments, the first andsecond closure panels 14 are coupled to each other when the first andsecond closure panels 14 are in the closed positions.

As described herein, the sensing system 72 may include at least onesensor 74 that detects the temperature within the cabin 12 of thevehicle 10, such as at least one temperature sensor 94 that is operableto detect the ambient air temperature within the cabin 12 of the vehicle10. In some embodiments the sensing system 72 may additionally oralternatively include at least one sensor 74 operable to detect thetemperature in the exterior environment 16 of the vehicle 10. A varietyof types of sensors 74 for detecting temperature are contemplated. Insome embodiments, the sensing system 72 may be operable to sensesunlight. For example, as described herein, the sensing system 72 mayinclude at least one optical sensor 96 configured to sense sunlight byconverting optical energy into an electric signal that is transmitted tothe controller 92. In some embodiments, the sensing system 72 isconfigured to detect sunlight entering the cabin 12 and/or the cargoarea 18 of the vehicle 10. For example, the optical sensor 96 may bepositioned within the cabin 12 and/or cargo area 18 of the vehicle 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 14, and 15, in various embodiments, thecontroller 92 may prompt movement of the first closure panel 14 towardthe closed position based on the sensed temperature within the cabin 12of the vehicle 10. In other words, the sensing system 72 may transmitdata to the controller 92 pertaining to the sensed temperature withinthe vehicle 10, and the controller 92 may prompt movement of the firstclosure panel 14 based on the received data. In some implementations,the controller 92 may prompt movement of the first closure panel 14toward the closed position based on the sensed temperature within thecabin 12 exceeding a threshold temperature. For example, in someembodiments, wherein the threshold temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit,the controller 92 may prompt movement of the first closure panel 14based on the sensing system 72 sensing a temperature above 80 degreesFahrenheit within the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10.

Referring still to FIGS. 2, 14, and 15, in some embodiments, thecontroller 92 may prompt movement of the first closure panel 14 towardthe closed position based on the sensed temperature within the cabin 12of the vehicle 10 and sensed sunlight entering the cabin 12 of thevehicle 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the controller 92 may promptmovement of the first closure panel 14 toward the closed position basedon the sensed temperature within the cabin 12 exceeding the thresholdtemperature and a sensed amount of sunlight exceeding a sunlight amountthreshold.

In various embodiments, the controller 92 may prompt movement of thefirst closure panel 14 from the first open position toward the closedposition based on the sensed temperature and/or sunlight within thecabin 12 of the vehicle 10 and terminate movement of the first closurepanel 14 at the second open position between the first open position andthe closed position. In other words, the controller 92 may promptmovement of the first closure panel 14 toward the closed position andterminate the movement before the closed position is reached. In someembodiments, the controller 92 may prompt movement of the first closurepanel 14 toward the closed position based on the sensed temperatureand/or sunlight within the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10 and terminatemovement of the first closure panel 14 in the closed position. It iscontemplated that, in some embodiments, the second closure panel 14 maybe operable to move between a plurality of open positions and/or theclosed position based on the sensed temperature and/or sensed amount ofsunlight within the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 14, and 15, in an exemplary embodiment, therear gate assembly 26 of the vehicle 10 includes the top gate panel 36,which is operable to pivot vehicle-downward toward the closed position,and the bottom gate panel 38, which is operable to pivot vehicle-upwardtoward the closed position. The top gate panel 36 is operable between afirst open position, as illustrated in FIG. 14, and a second openposition that is nearer to the closed position, as illustrated in FIG.15. The sensing system 72 of the vehicle 10 includes at least one sensor74 operable to sense the temperature within the cabin 12 of the vehicle10, and at least one sensor 74 operable to detect sunlight entering thecabin 12 of the vehicle 10. In operation of the exemplary embodiment,the top gate panel 36 is initially in the first open position, andsunlight is entering the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10 through the reargate assembly 26 due to the top gate panel 36 being in the first openposition. The sunlight entering the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10 raisesthe temperature within the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10. The sensingsystem 72 senses the temperature and amount of sunlight within the cabin12 and transmits corresponding data to the controller 92. The controller92 determines that the sensed temperature is above the temperaturethreshold and that the sensed amount of sunlight is above the sunlightamount threshold. In response, the controller 92 prompts movement of thetop gate panel 36 toward the closed position from the first openposition to the second open position. In the second open position, thetop gate panel 36 shades the cabin 12 from the sunlight that wasentering the cabin 12 through the rear gate assembly 26 when the topgate panel 36 was in the first open position. Moving the top gate panel36 to the second open position in this way may advantageously shade theuser U and/or another living being L (e.g., dog, cat, etc.) fromincoming sunlight when the temperature within the cabin 12 is higherthan desired, while keeping the top gate panel 36 partially open toallow for ventilation of the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 16, and 17, the rear gate assembly 26 mayinclude the first closure panel 14, which may be operable between theopen position and the closed position. At least one sensor 74 may becoupled to the first closure panel 14. The controller 92 may promptexecution of a security measure in response to the at least one sensor74 detecting a person within a predetermined proximity of at least aportion of a trailer 130 coupled to the vehicle 10.

The at least one sensor 74 may be at least one of a variety of types ofsensors 74, as described herein (e.g., imager 76, radar sensor 88, LIDARsensor, SONAR sensor, ultrasonic sensor, etc.). In some embodiments, theat least one sensor 74 configured to detect the person within thepredetermined proximity with the trailer 130 attached to the vehicle 10may include at least one imager 76. For example, the at least one sensor74 may be the rear imager 78 coupled to the rear gate assembly 26 andconfigured to collect image data of the exterior environment 16 that isvehicle-rearward of the vehicle 10 where the trailer 130 is positionedwhile attached to the vehicle 10. In some embodiments, the at least onesensor 74 may include at least one radar sensor 88. The at least oneradar sensor 88 may be coupled to the rear gate assembly 26 andconfigured to emit the radar beam 90 vehicle-rearward into the exteriorenvironment 16 of the vehicle 10 where the trailer 130 is positionedwhile coupled to the vehicle 10. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG.16, a plurality of radar sensors 88 are coupled to the top gate panel 36of the rear gate assembly 26 and cooperate together to form imagingradar, which is used by the controller 92 to determine the proximity ofthe person relative to at least a portion of the trailer 130, asdescribed further herein. Various types of sensors 74 configured todetermine the proximity of the person to the trailer 130 attached to thevehicle 10 are contemplated.

In various embodiments, the controller 92 may prompt execution of thesecurity measure in response to the at least one sensor 74 detecting theperson within the predetermined proximity of at least a portion of thetrailer 130. In some implementations, the controller 92 may promptexecution of the security measure in response to the at least one sensor74 detecting the person within the predetermined proximity of anyportion of the trailer 130. In some embodiments, the controller 92 mayprompt execution of the security measure based on the at least onesensor 74 detecting the person within the predetermined proximity of atongue 132 of the trailer 130. In some embodiments, the controller 92may prompt execution of the security measure in response to the at leastone sensor 74 detecting the person within the predetermined proximity ofa coupler assembly 134 of the trailer 130 and/or one or more componentsof the coupler assembly 134 (e.g., latch, ball socket, etc.). In anexemplary embodiment, the at least one sensor 74 may detect the personwithin the predetermined proximity (e.g., three inches) of the couplerassembly 134 of the trailer 130 and transmit the data to the controller92. The controller 92 may prompt execution of the security measure basedon the received data.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 16, and 17, the controller 92 may beconfigured to prompt execution of at least one of a variety of types ofsecurity measures in response to the at least one sensor 74 detectingthe person within the predetermined proximity of at least the portion ofthe trailer 130. In some embodiments, execution of the security measuremay include activation of at least one imager 76 coupled to the vehicle10. In some embodiments, execution of the security measure may includetransmission of an alert to the portable electronic device 56. Forexample, the controller 92 may transmit an alert signal to thesmartphone of the user U, which may emit an audible, tactile, and/orvisual alert in response. In some implementations, execution of thesecurity measure may include emission of an audible alert by the vehicle10. The sound source device 52 of the vehicle 10 may emit the audiblealert. For example, an alarm of the vehicle 10 may be sounded and/or ahorn of the vehicle 10 may be activated. In an exemplary embodiment, theexecution of the security measure may include emission of the audiblealert by the sound exciter 54 coupled to the rear glass panel 30 of therear gate assembly 26. In some embodiments, the sound exciter 54 and/oranother sound source device 52 of the vehicle 10 may issue a voicealert. For example, the sound exciter 54 may issue a voice alert thatgives an instruction and/or provides information, such as “back awayfrom the vehicle,” “you are under video surveillance,” and/or “lawenforcement has been alerted.” A variety of voice alerts arecontemplated. A variety of additional or alternative security measuresare also contemplated. For example, execution of the security measuremay include contacting local law enforcement and/or another party, suchas the user U.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 16, and 17, in an exemplary embodiment, thetrailer 130 is coupled with the vehicle 10. The rear gate assembly 26 ofthe vehicle 10 includes the top gate panel 36, which is operable topivot vehicle-downward toward the closed position, and the bottom gatepanel 38, which is operable to pivot vehicle-upward toward the closedposition. At least one radar sensor 88 operable to detect a person inproximity with the trailer 130 attached to the vehicle 10 is coupled tothe top gate panel 36 of the rear gate assembly 26. In operation of theexemplary embodiment, the person walks toward the trailer 130 andreaches down toward the coupler assembly 134 of the trailer 130. The atleast one radar sensor 88 senses the proximity of the person to thecoupler assembly 134 of the trailer 130 and transmits corresponding datato the controller 92. In response to receiving the data indicating thatthe person is within a predetermined proximity to the coupler assembly134 of the trailer 130, the controller 92 prompts execution of aplurality of security measures. Namely, the controller 92 promptsactivation of at least one imager 76 of the vehicle 10, such that theperson in proximity with the coupler assembly 134 of the trailer 130 isrecorded by the at least one imager 76. Further, the controller 92prompts the sound exciter 54 coupled to the rear glass panel 30 disposedwithin the top gate panel 36 of the rear gate assembly 26 to emit anaudible voice alert, which states “you are under video surveillance.”Simultaneously, the controller 92 prompts an alert signal to betransmitted to the portable electronic device 56 of the user U to alertthe user U of the person in proximity with the coupler assembly 134 ofthe trailer 130.

In some embodiments, wherein at least one radar sensor 88 is coupled tothe vehicle 10, the controller 92 may prompt adjustment of the beamwidth of the radar beam 90 emitted by the at least one radar sensor 88from a first radar beam width to a second radar beam width based on adetermination that the trailer 130 is connected to the vehicle 10. Insome implementations, the first radar beam width may be greater than thesecond radar beam width. In other words, the controller 92 may promptadjustment of the beam width based on the determination that the trailer130 is coupled to the vehicle 10, such that the beam width decreases. Itis contemplated that a determination that the trailer 130 is connectedto the vehicle 10 may be made in a variety of manners. For example, thesensing system 72 may sense, via one or more sensors 74, that thetrailer 130 is connected to the vehicle 10. In some embodiments, thecontroller 92 may receive an input in the form of an electric signalfrom an electrical connector that electrically connects the trailer 130and the vehicle 10. The electric signal may indicate that the trailer130 is connected to the vehicle 10.

In some embodiments, the controller 92 may prompt adjustment of the beamwidth of the radar beam 90 based on a variety of inputs and/ordeterminations in addition to the determination that the trailer 130 isconnected to the vehicle 10. For example, in some embodiments, thecontroller 92 may prompt adjustment of the beam width of the radar beam90 based on a determination that the trailer 130 is connected to thevehicle 10 and based on the vehicle 10 being in park. In someembodiments, the controller 92 may prompt adjustment of the beam widthbased on a determination that the trailer 130 is connected to thevehicle 10 and based on a user input received from the HMI 58. A varietyof inputs and/or determinations are contemplated.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the vehicle 10 may be operable to enter atleast one reverse mode, wherein the vehicle 10 is configured to travelin reverse. In some embodiments, the vehicle 10 enters the reverse modevia shifting into a reverse gear of the vehicle 10. For example, in avehicle 10 that includes an internal combustion engine, the reverse modeof the vehicle 10 may be entered by shifting into the reverse gear. Insome embodiments, the vehicle 10 enters the reverse mode via switchingone or more electric motors of the vehicle 10 into reverse, such thatoperation of the one or more electric motors is configured to move thevehicle 10 in reverse. For example, in an electric vehicle, the reversemode of the vehicle 10 may be entered by switching the electric motorinto reverse. In some embodiments, the vehicle 10 enters the reversemode via activation of a reverse assistance system 136 of the vehicle10. For example, in some implementations, the reverse mode of thevehicle 10 may be entered by activating a hitching assistance system 138of the vehicle 10 for aligning and/or connecting the vehicle 10 with thetrailer 130. In some embodiments, the reverse mode of the vehicle 10 maybe entered by activating a trailer reverse assistance system 140 of thevehicle 10 that provides assistance in reversing the vehicle 10 with thetrailer 130 coupled thereto. Further, in some embodiments, the reversemode of the vehicle 10 may be entered by activating a parking assistancesystem 142 of the vehicle 10 that provides assistance in maneuvering thevehicle 10 in a reverse direction to park the vehicle 10.

It is contemplated that the one or more reverse assistance systems 136of the vehicle 10 may be manual, semi-autonomous, and/or autonomousassistance systems. For example, in some embodiments, the reverseassistance system 136 of the vehicle 10 may be a manual trailerreversing assistance system, such as Ford Motor Company's TrailerReverse Guidance® system, which provides information to the driver ofthe vehicle to assist the driver in manually reversing a vehicle-trailercombination. Further, in some embodiments, the reverse assistance system136 of the vehicle 10 may be a semi-autonomous trailer reversingassistance system, such as Ford Motor Company's Pro Trailer BackupAssist® system, which controls movement of a vehicle steering wheelbased on inputs from a knob controlled by the operator of the vehicle.

In reference to FIGS. 2, 18, and 19, in some embodiments, the inputoption 66 on the HMI 58 may be made accessible for selection by the userU in response to the vehicle 10 entering the reverse mode. For example,as illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, wherein the HMI 58 includes thedisplay 60 of the vehicle 10 configured as the touchscreen 64, thevehicle 10 entering the reverse mode may prompt the HMI 58 to display aselectable input option 66 that was not displayed prior to the vehicle10 entering the reverse mode. It is contemplated that the input option66 may be made indirectly accessible in response to the vehicle 10entering the reverse mode, in some embodiments. For example, the HMI 58may display a selectable menu icon in response to the reverse mode beingentered, wherein selection of the menu icon prompts the HMI 58 todisplay the selectable input option 66. Various HMI 58 types arecontemplated. For example, as described herein, the HMI 58 may be theportable electronic device 56.

Referring still to FIGS. 2, 18 and 19, selection of the input option 66by the user U may cause the HMI 58 to transmit the user input to thecontroller 92. In various embodiments, the controller 92 may prompt oneor more of a variety of types of vehicle 10 and/or exterior componentactions in response to receiving the user input and/or in response tothe vehicle 10 entering the reverse mode. In some embodiments, thecontroller 92 may prompt pairing of the sound source device 52 and themicrophone 68, such that the sound source device 52 emits soundcorresponding to the sound detected by the microphone 68. As describedherein, the microphone 68 and/or the sound source device 52 may becoupled to various portions of the vehicle 10 (e.g., cabin 12, exterior70, etc.) and/or may be integrated with one or more portable electronicdevices 56. For example, in some embodiments, the microphone 68 may bedisposed within the cabin 12 and coupled to an overhead console of thevehicle 10, and the sound source device 52 may be the sound exciter 54coupled to the rear glass panel 30 that is disposed in the rear gateassembly 26 of the vehicle 10. In such embodiments, the microphone 68may detect the voice of the user U driving the vehicle 10, and the soundexciter 54 may emit sound corresponding with the detected voice, suchthat the user's U voice may be heard in the exterior environment 16 ofthe vehicle 10 proximate to the rear gate assembly 26.

In some embodiments, a plurality of microphones 68 may be paired with aplurality of corresponding sound source devices 52. In an exemplaryembodiment, a first smartphone is connected with a first microphone 68of the vehicle 10 and a first sound source device 52 of the vehicle 10via Bluetooth®. A second smartphone in the exterior environment 16 ofthe vehicle 10 includes a second microphone 68 and a second sound sourcedevice 52. In operation, the user U causes the vehicle 10 to enter thereverse mode by shifting the vehicle 10 into the reverse gear. Inresponse, the HMI 58 of the vehicle 10 displays the selectable inputoption 66 that, when selected, prompts the first smartphone to be paired(via, e.g., voice call, video conference, etc.) with the secondsmartphone, such that the first microphone 68 is paired with the secondsound source device 52, and the second microphone 68 is paired with thefirst sound source device 52. In various embodiments, pairing themicrophone 68 with the sound source device 52 may allow the user Uwithin the cabin 12 of the vehicle 10 to conveniently communicate with aspotter or other person in the exterior environment 16 of the vehicle 10during a reverse maneuver of the vehicle 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 16-19, in some embodiments, the controller92 may prompt movement of at least one closure panel 14 of the vehicle10 from the closed position to the open position in response to thevehicle 10 entering the reverse mode and/or receiving the user input.The at least one closure panel 14 may be at least a portion of the reargate assembly 26. In some implementations, the at least one closurepanel 14 may include the rear glass panel 30 of the rear gate assembly26. In an exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, the rearglass panel 30 of the rear gate assembly 26 of the vehicle 10 isoperable between open and closed positions. In operation, the user Ucauses the vehicle 10 to enter the reverse mode by activating thehitching assistance system 138 of the vehicle 10. Upon activation of thehitching assistance system 138, the HMI 58 makes the input option 66accessible for selection by the user U, as illustrated in FIG. 19. Next,the user U selects the input option 66, and the user input istransmitted from the HMI 58 to the controller 92. In response toreceiving the user input, the controller 92 prompts movement of the rearglass panel 30 from the closed position to the open position. In anotherembodiment, the controller 92 may prompt the rear glass panel 30 to movefrom the closed position to the open position in response to the vehicle10 entering the reverse mode, rather than in response to receiving theuser input from the HMI 58.

Movement of the at least one closure panel 14 from the closed positionto the open position in response to at least one of the vehicle 10entering the reverse mode and the controller 92 receiving the user inputfrom the HMI 58 may allow for convenient communication between the userU within the vehicle 10 and a spotter or other person in the exteriorenvironment 16 of the vehicle 10 during a reverse maneuver of thevehicle 10.

Referring now to FIG. 20, a method 144 of operating the system 50 forthe vehicle 10 is illustrated. The method 144 of operating the system 50for the vehicle 10 may include the step of entering the reverse mode ofthe vehicle 10. As described herein, the step 146 of entering thereverse mode of the vehicle 10 may be performed in at least one of avariety of manners. In some embodiments, the step 146 of entering thereverse mode of the vehicle 10 may include shifting into a reverse gearof the vehicle 10. For example, in a vehicle 10 that includes aninternal combustion engine, the reverse mode of the vehicle 10 may beentered by shifting into the reverse gear. In some embodiments, the step146 of entering the reverse mode of the vehicle 10 may include switchingone or more electric motors of the vehicle 10 into reverse, such thatoperation of the one or more electric motors is configured to move thevehicle 10 in reverse. In some embodiments, the step 146 of entering thereverse mode of the vehicle 10 may include activation of the reverseassistance system 136 of the vehicle 10. As described herein, a varietyof reverse assistance systems 136 are contemplated (e.g., hitchingassistance system 138, trailer reverse assistance system 140, parkingassistance system 142, etc.).

Referring still to FIG. 20, the method 144 of operating the system 50for the vehicle 10 may further include the step 148 of power actuatingat least one closure panel 14 of the vehicle 10 from the closed positionto the open position. In various embodiments, the at least one closurepanel 14 of step 148 may form at least a portion of the rear gateassembly 26 of the vehicle 10. In some embodiments, the at least oneclosure panel 14 may include the rear glass panel 30 of the vehicle 10.It is contemplated that the at least one closure panel 14 of step 148may be at least one of a variety of types of closure panels 14 of thevehicle 10, as described herein. In various embodiments, a plurality ofclosure panels 14 may be power actuated from closed to open positions.Further, it is contemplated that the at least one closure panel 14 maybe power actuated via operation of one or more actuators 24 coupled tothe vehicle 10.

In some embodiments, the step 148 of power actuating at least oneclosure panel 14 from the closed position to the open position may beperformed in response to at least one of the vehicle 10 entering thereverse mode and the controller 92 receiving the user input entered intothe HMI 58 via selection of the input option 66 by the user U, whereinthe input option 66 is made accessible for selection by the user U inresponse to the vehicle 10 entering the reverse mode. For example, insome embodiments, the method 144 of operating the system 50 for thevehicle 10 may include the step 148 of power actuating at least oneclosure panel 14 of the vehicle 10 from the closed position to the openposition in response to the vehicle 10 entering the reverse mode.Further, in some embodiments, the method 144 of operating the system 50of the vehicle 10 may include the step 148 of power actuating at leastone closure panel 14 of the vehicle 10 from the closed position to theopen position in response to receiving the user input entered into theHMI 58 via selection of the input option 66 by the user U, wherein theinput option 66 is made accessible for selection by the user U inresponse to the vehicle 10 entering the reverse mode.

Referring still to FIG. 20, in some embodiments, the method 144 ofoperating the system 50 for the vehicle 10 may include the step 150 ofpairing the sound source device 52 and the microphone 68. In variousembodiments, the sound source device 52 is configured to emit soundcorresponding to sound detected by the microphone 68 when the microphone68 and sound source device 52 are paired with each other. As describedherein, the microphone 68 and/or the sound source device 52 may becoupled to various portions of the vehicle 10 and/or may be integratedwith one or more portable electronic devices 56.

In some embodiments, the step 150 of pairing the sound source device 52and the microphone 68 may be performed in response to at least one ofthe vehicle 10 entering the reverse mode and the controller 92 receivingthe user input entered into the HMI 58 via selection of the input option66 by the user U, wherein the input option 66 is made accessible forselection by the user U in response to the vehicle 10 entering thereverse mode. For example, in some embodiments, the method 144 ofoperating the system 50 for the vehicle 10 may include the step 150 ofpairing the sound source device 52 and the microphone 68 in response tothe vehicle 10 entering the reverse mode. Further, in some embodiments,the method 144 of operating the system 50 of the vehicle 10 may includethe step 150 of pairing the sound source device 52 and the microphone 68in response to receiving the user input entered into the HMI 58 viaselection of the input option 66 by the user U, wherein the input option66 is made accessible for selection by the user U in response to thevehicle 10 entering the reverse mode.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made onthe aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of thepresent invention, and further it is to be understood that such conceptsare intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claimsby their language expressly state otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for a vehicle having a trailer coupledthereto, comprising: a rear gate assembly of the vehicle having a firstclosure panel operable between an open position and a closed position;at least one sensor coupled to the first closure panel; and a controllerthat prompts execution of a security measure in response to the at leastone sensor detecting a person within a predetermined proximity of atleast a portion of the trailer.
 2. The system of claim 1, whereinexecution of the security measure comprises: activation of an imagercoupled to the vehicle.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein execution ofthe security measure comprises: transmission of an alert to a portableelectronic device.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein execution of thesecurity measure comprises: emission of an audible alert by the vehicle.5. The system of claim 1, wherein the rear gate assembly furthercomprises: a second closure panel operable between an open position anda closed position, wherein the first closure panel is operable to pivotabout a first pivot axis a first direction from the closed position tothe open position and the second closure panel is operable to pivotabout a second pivot axis a second direction from the closed position tothe open position, wherein the second direction is opposite the firstdirection.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first closure panel ispositioned vehicle-upward of the second closure panel and is coupled tothe second closure panel when the first and second closure panels are inthe closed positions.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least onesensor comprises: at least one radar sensor that emits a radar beam. 8.The system of claim 7, wherein the controller prompts adjustment of awidth of the radar beam based on a determination that the trailer iscoupled to the vehicle.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the controllerprompts adjustment of the width of the radar beam based on thedetermination that the trailer is coupled to the vehicle, such that thewidth of the radar beam decreases.
 10. A system for a vehicle having atrailer coupled thereto, comprising: a rear gate assembly of the vehiclehaving a first closure panel operable between an open position and aclosed position; an imager coupled to the vehicle; at least one radarsensor coupled to the first closure panel; and a controller thatactivates the imager in response to the at least one radar sensordetecting a person within a predetermined proximity of at least aportion of the trailer.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the reargate assembly further comprises: a second closure panel operable betweenan open position and a closed position, wherein the first closure panelis operable to pivot about a first pivot axis a first direction from theclosed position to the open position and the second closure panel isoperable to pivot about a second pivot axis a second direction from theclosed position to the open position, wherein the second direction isopposite the first direction.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein thefirst closure panel is positioned vehicle-upward of the second closurepanel and is coupled to the second closure panel when the first andsecond closure panels are in the closed positions.
 13. The system ofclaim 10, wherein the controller prompts adjustment of a width of aradar beam emitted by the at least one radar sensor based on adetermination that the trailer is coupled to the vehicle.
 14. The systemof claim 13, wherein the controller prompts adjustment of the width ofthe radar beam based on the determination that the trailer is coupled tothe vehicle, such that the width of the radar beam decreases.
 15. Asystem for a vehicle, comprising: a trailer coupled to the vehicle; atleast one radar sensor coupled to the vehicle that emits a radar beam;and a controller that prompts adjustment of a width of the radar beamemitted by the at least one radar sensor from a first radar beam widthto a second radar beam width based on a determination that the traileris connected to the vehicle.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein thefirst radar beam width is greater than the second radar beam width. 17.The system of claim 15, further comprising: an imager coupled to thevehicle, wherein the controller prompts activation of the imager inresponse to the at least one radar sensor detecting a person within apredetermined proximity of at least a portion of the trailer.
 18. Thesystem of claim 15, wherein the controller prompts transmission of analert to a portable electronic device in response to the at least oneradar sensor detecting a person within a predetermined proximity of atleast a portion of the trailer.
 19. The system of claim 15, wherein thecontroller prompts the vehicle to emit an audible alert in response tothe at least one radar sensor detecting a person within a predeterminedproximity of at least a portion of the trailer.
 20. The system of claim15, wherein the vehicle includes a rear gate assembly that comprises: atop gate panel operable to pivot about a first pivot axis between openand closed positions, wherein the top gate panel pivots a firstdirection about the first pivot axis from the closed position to theopen position; and a bottom gate panel operable to pivot about a secondpivot axis between open and closed positions, wherein the bottom gatepanel pivots a second direction that is opposite the first directionabout the second pivot axis from the closed position to the openposition, wherein the at least one radar sensor is coupled to the topgate panel.